Showmax is a subscription video-on-demand service that offers unlimited access to over 35 000 local and international series episodes, movies, kids’ shows and documentaries on any internet-connected device. By partnering with Safaricom, Showmax can now offer Kenyan subscribers a full 30 days of access to try out the platform for free!

But before you sign up to Showmax, you want to see what all the fuss is about, right? Maybe you’ve already received one of these 30-day trial vouchers and have forgotten to activate it. Or maybe you’re wondering what the deal is with Showmax before you do.

Here’s why and how to activate your 30-day free trial voucher from Safaricom.

1. New and exclusive shows

Showmax has a growing catalogue of shows that are available first and only on Showmax, such as sexy rom-com Younger, MMA drama series Kingdom, racy British period drama Harlots, Tom Hardy’s Taboo, TUT starring Ben Kingsley and the brand-new third season of techno-thriller Mr Robot, which is premiering on Showmax from tomorrow (Thursday, 12 October). These are shows you won’t find anywhere else. Some shows even come to Showmax express from the broadcast in the States, which means they’re about as fresh as it gets. These shows include South Park, Season 21, and Mr Robot, Season 3. Plus, new shows are added every week! Watch now »

Showmax is the only streaming service to feature the best of HBO. There are more than 34 HBO series that you can binge from the beginning right through to the final (or most recent) episode, including Game of Thrones, Girls, Westworld, Big Little Lies and The Sopranos. Watch now »

3. Super-affordable

Once your 30-day free trial is up, you’re going to want to sign up for Showmax as a paying subscriber. With the M-Pesa deal, at Ksh 250 for three months, Showmax costs less than any other streaming service available in Kenya, by a long, long way. Remember, this is a limited offer, so cash in on it now!

Remember, these other providers’ prices are for one month, and the 250 bob offer through M-Pesa is for three months. Plus, these other providers charge in US dollars, which means the cost in Ksh varies with exchange rate fluctuations. Not ideal.

4. Quick and easy sign up

All new subscribers need to do to sign up for Showmax is enter their email address and create a password.

For those wanting to cash in on the Safaricom Ksh 250 for three months voucher deal, they just need to enter the phone number that they use for M-Pesa transactions, select M-Pesa as payment method and validate the transaction as they would for any other M-Pesa payment. And existing subscribers simply need to select M-Pesa as the new payment method and then validate the transaction.

Detailed steps for activating the Safaricom Ksh 250 for three months voucher are here.

And it’s even easier to activate your 30-day free trial voucher – see the steps in the next section.

5. Download and watch offline

Showmax gives users the option to download up to 25 shows and movies onto the Showmax app on their mobile devices for easy viewing offline. This leads to a big saving on mobile data, especially when shows are downloaded over a public or open Wi-Fi network (such as in the office – don’t worry, we won’t tell – or in a coffee shop or mall).

6. Watch on your big-screen TV without upgrading to a smart TV

Did you know that there are a number of cheap, simple ways to stream Showmax from your internet-connected mobile device directly onto the screen of your TV? You can connect your laptop to your TV with an HDMI cable; connect your phone to your TV’s HDMI port using a Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) as long as you can find the right cable; or you can invest in a Chromecast media streamer or Android Box if you’re an Android user, or in a Safaricom Big Box. These options mean no more crouching over your smartphone to binge on series, and no more laptop on the coffee table.

7. Watch on multiple devices

As Showmax is an internet-streaming service, it’s not tied to one device or platform. In addition to iOS and Android smartphones, tablets, and some smart TVs, Showmax has also deployed an app for the Xbox One. Xbox One owners just need to download the Showmax app from Xbox Live and enter their account details to get access to Showmax on their Xboxes. It’s incredibly convenient as Xboxes are often hooked up to the home’s main TV, so no additional playback device is needed.

8. Watch on two devices at the same time

Showmax can be enjoyed on two smartphones, tablets, PCs, laptops or smart TVs at the same time using only one account, and each account can have up to five authorised devices registered to it. So you can binge on the boxset of Desperate Housewives while the kids get their fill of Paw Patrol, My Little Pony and the Disney series that are due to hit the platform later in October.

And you get all of this for Ksh 250 for three months with the Safaricom voucher deal!